Top 3 Foods You Need to try in Antigua

Every nation has its own cuisine that just makes your mouth water or is just so weird you cannot imagine putting it into your face. While Antigua & Barbuda has a variety of different flavours and a mixture of cuisines, when I travel I prefer to eat things that are authentically match the culture or at least come from the culture that I am experiencing. Along my travels on the island I have come across the following five must try meals as well as a couple of cooking classes you need to try if you are a foodie.

If you are like me and want to try the local flavours then you will want to try these three:

1. Fungee: The one of two national dishes of Antigua and Barbuda is Fungee (Fun-J-ee). Based on the African dish with the same name, this cornmeal and okra mixture is usually served as the shape of the container that it was made it. It is usually served with vegetable mash and a sauce made from tomatoes, garlic, and salted codfish or with the second national dish Pepperpot.
   
   
2. Pepperpot: this super spicy stew is the second national dish of Antigua and Barbuda however it originates from Guyana but the Antiguan version has a bit of a twist. The Antiguan style Pepperpot is made with salted beef various "exotic" pig parts as snout or tail and scotch peppers.
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3. Beer: if you are headed to the island there is the local Wadadli beer and Caribe. Both are lagers but Wadadli is the preferred brand but it does run out.

If Antigua and Barbuda are the only island(s) that you are going to visit while in the Caribbean then you might want to try some other treats that are made on the island but have come from other islands. These five dishes are some of my favorites.

Conch: This is a mollusk (sea snail) is found in a gorgeous pink spiral shell. You can eat it raw, steamed, fried, stewed, or even as part of a recipe like conch balls. While there are things like conch which is found on many islands, it is starting to be come endangered due to the amount of people eating the shellfish and taking their shells as a souvenir.

Souse: made all throughout the Caribbean, Souse is a light, cold soup of clear broth with super tender pickled pig feet and flavoured with onion, garlic, lime, hot peppers and other spices.

Ducana: Found across multiple Caribbean Islands but usually found in Antigua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines this sweet potato side dish is super tasty. Either served in the form of a dumpling or pudding, they are made by grating sweet potatoes and mixing it with grated coconut, sugar, flour, coconut milk, and/or water, raisins, ginger, grated nutmeg, salt and vanilla extract.

Tamarind Balls: known more in Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, Tamarind balls are also found on Antigua as it is a super simple treat. The tamarind flesh is removed from the fruit and then rolled in brown sugar before being formed into round balls.

Saltfish: aka Cod that has been preserved in salt until all the moisture is drawn out. The best saltfish I had was in St. Lucia and it was served with green banana's. You can find saltfish in a variety of different recipes all over the Caribbean but it is not served as a jerky.

Every time I travel, I always end up falling in love with a meal or drink that I want to take the recipe home with me so then I can create it on a whim or when I can find the ingredients. The best way to be able to recreate these meals or snacks at home is by taking a local cooking class. If there is a special way to prep certain ingredients then a cooking class is a must so you are taught the technique properly.

Nicole's Table is a fantastic restaurant that also hosts cooking classes just minutes from downtown St. John, Antigua so if you are in town on a cruise, you should be able to take a class while you are in town. These three are the most popular classes offered at the restaurant but you will want to book quickly because they are kept at a small size so you receive hands on / one-on-one training.

1. Coordinating Curry
   Learn jerk cooking, how curry and other spices came to the island and how they are used in a variety of Caribbean cuisine while creating a 3-course meal and cocktail that you can enjoy at the restaurant with views over ocean.
   
   
2. Cooking with Rum
   If you are interested in rum then this is the class for you. Not only do you get to compare tour different types of rum from local islands you will also learn how to make cocktails, an appy, main course, and dessert all using rum. At the end you will get to enjoy your cooking at the restaurant before heading out to continue your day.
   
   
3. Cooking with Jerk
   Yes, Jerk is from Jamaica but if you are on a cruise, a lot of itineraries do not visit Jamaica and Antigua so if you are a jerk fan this is a great cooking class for you. While creating some jerk meat you will also make a lunch with a cocktail, appetizer, and dessert that all go well with the jerked meat you create. You then get to enjoy your creations at the restaurant while taking in the view.

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